First female to command aircraft carrier
The Navy announced that Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt will assume command of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), marking the first time a female commanding officer will lead the crew of one of the Navy’s 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Read more....




Makin Island Amphib Group, Marines arrive off Somali coast to relocate U.S. Forces
The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived off the coast of Somalia Dec. 21 as part of the Joint Forces Maritime Component Command for Joint Task Force-Quartz (JTF-Q). Read more....

Scholarships for Military Children applications open through Feb 17
The Scholarships for Military Children Program for academic year 2021–2022 is accepting applications.
Applications must be submitted online at www.militaryscholar.org by February 17.
For more information click here!



USS Paul Hamilton returns home from 9-month deployment
SAN DIEGO - The guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) crew had extra cause to celebrate the Navy’s birthday this year, as the ship returned to San Diego, Oct. 13, from a successful nine-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operation. Read more....



The JLTV, revolutionizing motor transportation in the Marine Corps
OKINAWA, JAPAN – The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) is integrated into training on Okinawa, and it is already changing the way the Marines envision motor transportation. The JLTV will cut down thousands of hours of annual maintenance and allow Marines to drive to remote locations with minimal mechanical support, said Staff Sgt. Robert O. Sempell, Shop Chief, Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. Read more....



CNO sends message to Fleet to celebrate the 245th Navy birthday
by CNO Adm. Mike Gilday
Shipmates, this year we’re celebrating our 245th Birthday virtually, around the world, together.
Although this birthday is different than in past years, what has not changed is how proud we can be of two and a half centuries of tradition, as well as our Sailors and civilians who continue to build our legacy with family members and loved ones at their side.
Today, Sailors stand the watch from the Western Atlantic to the South China Sea, and from the High North to the South Pacific. Your Navy enables prosperity 24/7/365 - at home and abroad - by helping keep the maritime commons free and open. And I promise you that our allies and partners - as well as your fellow Americans - all sleep better because you are there.
Our birthday is an important occasion because we celebrate our rich past, recognize the accomplishments of our shipmates today, and look to our bright future ahead.
The Navy needs you to be the best that you can be. Serve others. Be courageous. And always remember that America has a great Navy.
Happy 245th Birthday Navy Family. See you in the Fleet, Shipmates.



DoD announces 5G prototype testing at San Diego Navy base
The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD (R&E)) has selected Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) to be one of five Tranche 1 sites for the Department of Defense’s 5G to Next G Initiative.
The NBSD site will utilize a Naval Base Coronado warehouse operated by Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center San Diego (FLCSD) to prototype a smart warehouse use case enabled by 5G technology and to perform at-scale experimentation using the developed prototypes.
The prototyping’s objectives are to create a proving ground for testing, refining, and validating emerging 5G enabled technologies and to increase the efficiency and fidelity of NAVSUP FLCSD logistic operations.
Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific will lead the technical assessment with NBSD, NAVSUP, and NAVSUP FLCSD, supporting the implementation and execution of the experiments, performing test and evaluation, and ensuring the deployed 5G technology and smart warehouse applications meet Navy and OUSD (R&E) expectations.
The desired outcome is a 5G enabled smart warehouse that improves the efficiency, accuracy, security, and safety of materiel and supply handling, management, storage, and distribution for NAVSUP FLCSD, and a prototype transition plan for NAVSUP.
Industry partners have been selected to design and build the 5G test bed, various network enhancements, and warehouse specific applications.



USS Pinckney returns to San Diego from nine-month deployment
Guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91) returned to its homeport, Naval Station San Diego, following a nine-month deployment to U.S. 7th Fleet and U.S. 4th Fleet areas of operations, October 5. Read more....



Plan now for 2020 holiday peak mailing season deadlines
“For a successful holiday mailing season, customers should focus on adequate packaging, proper addressing, and following recommended mail-by dates to make sure their packages arrive by December 25,” said Tommie Tate, NAVSUP Deputy Postal Operations Manager.  Read more....



USS Rafael Peralta completes maiden deployment
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) returned to San Diego Sept. 3 marking the completion of the ship's maiden deployment. Rafael Peralta spent seven and a half months in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. Read more....


Welcome Home: USS Carl Vinson arrives back in America's Finest City
Homeport change ..
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Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) arrived at Naval Air Station North Island, in September, after completing a 17-month docking planned incremental availability (DPIA) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility and changing its homeport from Bremerton, Wash., to San Diego. The aircraft carrier’s arrival in San Diego is a homecoming for members of the crew whose families opted to remain in San Diego during the ship’s DPIA. Vinson’s DPIA included a complete system retrofit to accommodate F-35C Lightning II mission capabilities, such as upgrades to combat systems and electrical systems. Additional efforts during DPIA involved upgrades to crew living spaces and maintenance on the ship’s hull, rudders, and shafts. USS Carl Vinson can carry more than 5,000 people and 65 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft; and has the speed, agility, and maneuverability to travel more than 5,000 nautical miles in less than seven days to arrive where needed, ready to fight.

SECDEF meets Sailors aboard USS Essex, observes ops during RIMPAC visit
Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper visited sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex, Aug. 26, to experience the Rim of the Pacific exercise — a multinational operation involving 10 nations.
The exercise has been scaled back due to COVID-19, but still had a decent turnout. Australia, Brunei, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, Korea, the Philippines, Singapore and the United States are participating. The participating nations sent 22 ships, a submarine and about 5,300 personnel.Read more....

Montford Point Marines honored on the 78th anniversary
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- In June of 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt issued an Executive Order establishing the Fair Employment Practices Commission to aid in the prevention of discrimination against African Americans in government and defense work positions. On August 26, 1942, the first African American recruits arrived to Montford Point in Jacksonville, North Carolina to conduct Marine Corps recruit training while unknowingly contributing to one of the most significant developments in Marine Corps history. Read more....



Marine Corps to build innovative wargaming center
by Matt Gonzales Marine Corps Systems Command
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- The Marine Corps will soon build a state-of-the-art facility to better visualize the threat environment, gain competitive advantages and simulate future operating environments.Read more....







United Through Reading®
Deploying? Service members invited to record stories for family at San Diego USO
United Through Reading® is a program helping ease the stress of separation for military families by having deploying or deployed service members read children’s books aloud via DVD for their family to watch at home. This powerful program is available to all military units. It provides service members a chance to make lasting connections from afar. The DVD recording and the book are mailed to the child and family back home.
Service members who are leaving for training can also take part in this program. Being a parent is not required; service members can send the DVD & book(s) to any special child in their life such as younger sister or brother, niece, nephew or godchild.
On the day of the recording, service members are encouraged to dress in the attire they will be wearing while deployed/training, but this is not required. The room is private, so any special message, or those fun reading voices, will only be heard by the recipient of the DVD recording. USO San Diego has books available, or service members can bring their own. Our volunteers will help set up the camera and then leave the room. The DVD can hold a 30 minute recording.
Please e-mail USO San Diego Staff Member Nichole Duarte at utr@usosandiego.org to make your appointment. This program is offered at both USO San Diego centers.